Plan for Geologic Mapping of West Virginia

Purpose

An effective state mapping plan for West Virginia will:

History

In 1992, the WV Geologic Mapping Panel identified quadrangles with significant environmental problems, coal resources, economic development, tourism, and water resources. Subsequently, a member of the panel drew up a list of quadrangles of particular environmental concern and the Coal Bed Mapping Program (CBMP) at the Survey created a Geographic Information System which will include all coal beds in every quadrangle with coal resources. Recently, there has been an increasing number of inquiries to the WV Survey regarding karst areas in the state. In June, 2002, The WV Panel held a special meeting to consider these sources of information and set a course for future mapping in the state.

Mapping Programs at the West Virginia Geological Survey

The West Virginia Geological Survey has two major components of its geologic mapping effort: STATEMAP and CBMP. Under STATEMAP, geologists produce maps through a combination of field and available subsurface data. Surficial deposits are also mapped in some quadrangles. One or more interpretational cross sections are drawn for each quadrangle. The result is a conventional geologic map that shows at a minimum all bedrock geologic units.
Under the state-funded CBMP, geologists use core data and surface exposures of coal beds to create a Geographic Information System, which can in turn be queried to produce isopach and structure maps for each coal bed. Useful geologic maps can be created by drawing the intersection of the coal bed elevations with the surface topography. To produce maps compatible with STATEMAP, additional fieldwork is required for mapping noncoal stratigraphic boundaries and surficial deposits.

The Plan

Long-term Goal

The long-term goal of the Survey’s mapping effort is to map the entire state. This goal is achievable within the next 10-20 years, given the areas completed to date by STATEMAP projects, the GIS being developed under the CBMP, and continued funding of the STATEMAP and CBMP. Our strategy for meeting this goal within the constraints of available funding is to apply STATEMAP funds to quadrangles that will not be mapped under the CBMP and to those quadrangles for which coal mapping has been completed.

Mid-term Priorities for STATEMAP Projects

Three areas have been identified as the focus of geologic mapping in the next five to ten years.

Eastern panhandle -- This area of West Virginia is characterized by relatively high growth in population, highway-building, and environmental pressure. An indicator of this growth is the increasing difficulty of gaining access to property for mapping. This region includes seven quadrangles identified by a panel member as having significant environmental concern. An additional five quadrangles of significant concern have already been mapped. Twenty-two quadrangles remain to be mapped in this region.

Highway corridors -- The interstate highways as well as major new highways such as Corridor H have predictably and as intended become corridors of population growth and economic development. In addition, exposure of bedrock that comes with highway construction offers tremendous opportunity for geologic mapping not usually available in many areas.

Karst areas -- Areas of Karst occur throughout the eastern tier of counties in the state, including the Eastern Panhandle. However, Greenbrier County karst areas have been recognized by the Karst Waters Institute as one of the top ten endangered areas. Four quadrangles in Greenbrier, Pocahontas, and Monroe Counties have been identified by the WV Mapping Panel as having particular environmental significance.

Short-term Priorities

Each year, the West Virginia Geologic Mapping Panel will meet to examine and possibly update the state mapping plan, and to review projects proposed by geologists of the West Virginia Geologic and Economic Survey for mapping specific quadrangles.

Page last revised: November 14, 2005

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            West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey
  Address:  Mont Chateau Research Center
            1 Mont Chateau Road
            Morgantown, WV  26508-8079
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